You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight

Reviews

A spine-tingling camp slasher with a cast of characters you can’t help but root for. Narrator Hewot Tedla perfects the strengths of this teen thriller: a tone of brassy independence, fiery romance, and chilling terror. Delightfully creepy. . . . Plan to read You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight under a blanket with a flashlight, but only if you’re willing to stay up late. As horror fans know, there’s always one last twist at the end. Bayron’s abundant use of familiar twists and turns draw on the genre’s classic predecessors to craft a gory and darkly funny read that is sure to satisfy slasher fans. In this latest novel, Bayron (My Dear Henry, 2023) integrates the traditional conventions of a slasher novel with the story of a queer, Black girl protagonist who subverts the trope of 'Black people dying first.' Bayron's foray into the YA horror space helps continue the effort of decentering whiteness in the genre. The overall campiness of the novel will appeal to fans of ’90s horror films, and make the book as fun as it is terrifying. Kalynn Bayron's writing is alchemy itself, blending contemporary fantasy with a dose of haunting mystery and a dropper of gothic fiction. An intoxicating tale about the power of about Black motherhood and daughterhood, and family bonds that can't be broken. Like the poisonous plants Briseis tends to, This Poison Heart is mesmerizing and beautiful. Thrilling and magnetic, This Poison Heart pulses with true Black girl magic and endless mystery. A verdant read as rich as the greenery within it, This Poison Heart will wrap its vines around you and never let go. Bayron takes an old story, turns it on its head, and makes it her own with a stunning display of pacing, character, and legacy. This Poison Heart masterfully weaves a unique story grounded in the depths of Greek mythology and Black girlhood, ideal for lovers of folklore or those who enjoy the thrill of a well-paced and unanticipated adventure. Bayron weaves science and Greek mythology into a captivating lore that lends weight to this fantastical contemporary story. She conjures entertaining and realistic dialogue and attentive characterization, while incisive descriptions and sumptuous prose evoke a wonderfully gothic atmosphere. Kalynn Bayron does more than re-write a fairy-tale. . . . She breaks it apart and rebuilds it into a wholly original and captivating story where girls finally decide for themselves who lives happily ever after. Expand reviews